THE result might have gone against them, but Kendal Town caretaker boss Steve Edmondson saw cause for optimism in his side’s battling performance in Tuesday’s defeat at Runcorn Linnets.

The Mintcakes gave as good as they got until the last half hour, when a trio of strikes from their promotion chasing hosts clinched the points, but Edmondson said he was proud of the efforts of a young side weakened by injury absences

“I was very pleased with the way the lads played in those first 63 minutes,” he said.

“Both sides created chances and we could easily have taken the lead, and everyone put in a good performance. We had to bring some young players in and they did very well.”

MORE TOP STORIES:

Town have just six games left in their battle for Evo-Stik West survival, starting with Saturday’s home clash against Leek Town, a game which is quickly followed by next Tuesday’s trip to high flying Radcliffe.

They are six points adrift of safety, and though the possibility of a reprieve remains if the league decide that following Colwyn Bay’s departure, only one team will be relegated, Town are focused in trying to overhaul third bottom Glossop to guarantee avoiding the drop.

“We have to keep battling on and try to get three wins from somewhere to give us a chance, but if we don’t get them it will not be for the want of trying, “ said Edmondson.

The Town boss said he was making efforts to bring in a couple of new players in time for the Leek game and he was also hopeful the ranks would be boosted by players returning from injury.